New York Knicks rookie RJ Barrett will not be playing for Team Canada at this year's FIBA World Cup in China due to a mild calf strain, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.
There is no doubt that Barrett would love to play for his home country's team, but he is electing to use this summer to manage his calf injury and prepare for the coming NBA season.
New York Knicks No. 3 pick RJ Barrett will not play for Canada in the FIBA World Cup due to management of a mild calf strain sustained during Las Vegas summer league, sources told @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 1, 2019
The Knicks selected Barrett with the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft. By most accounts, the former Duke standout will be a fine addition to the team. At 6-7, he can guard multiple positions, and his production on the offensive end of the floor is evident.
Barrett made 38 appearances with the Blue Devils in his lone season at Duke (all starts), racking up averages of 22.6 points on 45.4 percent shooting from the field (30.8 percent from beyond the arc), 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists and just under one steal (0.9) in 35.3 minutes per outing.
The Knicks finished the 2018-19 campaign with a disappointing 17-65 overall record, which left the team well out of the playoff hunt. Hopefully, though, with a clean slate and Barrett aboard, New York will find its way back into postseason contention.
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